Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

The Tunes of Lenore: When You Go to Boarding School Bring Your Friends by J.T. Blossom is a gripping coming of age story that features a compelling female protagonist. Set in the future in 2026, the novel tells the story of sixteen-year-old Ella, an intelligent girl caught in the constant conflict between her parents. Her dad runs a pot business which fuels the tension between the parents, but the looming divorce makes things even worse for her as she is sent to a school far from home and to live under austere conditions. Will getting the attention of boys fill the emptiness in her heart and abate the restlessness in her soul? Follow a tale in which a grandfather's wise fiddle and a mysterious friend help bring a young character home to herself.

This is a novel of unique beauty. The protagonist has a solid background, a young girl in a home filled with tension. The author does an impeccable job with the backstory, keeping it measured and using it to add depth to the character development. The prose is crisp and filled with a unique charm that keeps the reading exciting and engaging. While J.T. Blossom develops exceptionally good characters, it's the author's gift for storytelling that captured my attention. The Tunes of Lenore: When You Go to Boarding School Bring Your Friends is an exciting read for fans of coming of age stories and tales that are transporting. This novel kept me reading through the night; it is deft and balanced.

Reviewed by Marta Tandori for Readers' Favorite

DG’s family isn’t like other families. For one, her father is a pipeliner so her family is never in one place for very long. They go from state to state and country to country, wherever the work is. More importantly, though, her beloved mother isn’t like other mothers. She’s much more fragile and she tends to go away and rest for long periods of time. Even when her mother’s at home, DG has to help out with her brothers, Henry David, Samuel Taylor, Oscar Fingal and George Gordon. DG thinks maybe her mother wouldn’t be so tired if she stopped having and losing babies. And just when DG thinks her mother is finally on the road to recovery, her mother doesn’t recognize her at all…

A trifecta of dysfunctionality, mental illness and infidelity forms the backbone of Terry Watkins’ poignant coming of age offering in Darling Girl. This is a poignant work of fiction where a little girl’s soul is laid heartbreakingly bare. Using simple, yet evocative narrative, Watkins reminds us that children – even in the innocence of youth – are attuned to their environment and can often read between the lines, especially when it comes to the actions of the adults in their lives. Watkins’ young protagonist is not only mature beyond her years but also grows up very quickly when she comes to the realization that her father isn’t the shining knight she has believed him to be.

Under the façade of burgeoning prosperity and solid family values, Watkins’ book portrays a bleak image of American society in the sixties of the last century. To some extent, as long as the husband was a good provider, the wife had to look the other way if he was inclined to bouts of infidelity, as DG’s father was. After all, what option was there for a wife with no work skills outside of the home? Through DG’s eyes, we see that her mother had no choice but to return to an unfaithful and oftentimes volatile husband. Watkins gives us ringside seats as DG’s spirit is slowly crushed under her father’s barely-concealed malice, but as she spirals into inevitable depression, we become hopeful as her mother finds her own strength of character to help not only herself but also her daughter. With no promises of a happily ever after, Watkins has nevertheless spun an evocative tale of hope in Darling Girl and sometimes that’s far more than any of us can hope for.

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

We read a lot of war memoirs from those who have been at the front, but what happens to those left behind? In Home Front: A Memoir from WWII, C.D. Peterson chronicles life in a rural community just before, during, and after the war, following the compelling voice of Douglas, a young boy growing up on a farm. The earliest memories the narrator has are from December 7th, 1941, and while being introduced to names like Hitler, Roosevelt, and getting to know places like Iwo Jima and Monte Cassino, there was a camaraderie and bonding shared because of the common threat of war. Some children saw their fathers go off to fight; others saw their mothers working in factories. This memoir documents the atmosphere during this time and captures the soul of a people and how life would change drastically after the war.

C.D. Peterson is a terrific writer and readers will undoubtedly enjoy the beautiful and compelling voice of the narrator. Told in the first-person narrative, Home Front captures the sentiments of people, the fears and hopes of those left behind and how WWII changed a family forever. The writing is cinematic and clear, featuring unique phraseology. The setting comes out beautifully in the narrative and readers can situate themselves in a rural community with little technology and no cellphones. Home Front: A Memoir from WWII allows readers to understand and touch the soul of a people during the painful time of war. It is a mesmerizing story in the hands of a master.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Incense and Peppermints by Cathrina Constantine is set in the '60s and follows the journey of a young girl as she starts her confusing and painful journey into adulthood. Mary Monroe is just 16 years old; she is innocent and vulnerable, yet at the same time she is very confident and reserved. Friends with her brother’s girlfriend and her group, Mary finally breaks out of her shell, especially when she meets the enigmatic Michael Covington. He is a devastatingly handsome new student in their school and he simply sweeps her off her feet.

With his bad boy charm reeling her in, Mary is swept into the world of drugs and alcoholism. However, reality comes crashing down when someone assaults her and Michael comes to her rescue, but Mary is not sure if he really did that. She is not sure if he was the one who actually assaulted her. But there is something about him that keeps pulling her towards him and she cannot stop him. Who was the person who attacked her? Can she really trust Michael? Or is this the end of their relationship, even if she loves him very much?

This is a YA novel that is intense, romantic, and the perfect example of a coming of age story. I loved Mary! She is the perfect female lead that you would expect from such a novel. She has a lot of growing up to do and she knows it. Her development was spot on and so was Michael’s. Together they rocked the novel and brought it to life. It is gritty, real, relatable and perfect!

Reviewed by Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Billy can hardly believe his luck. King William and his heir, Princess Kathryn, are shining examples of what he always dreamed royals would be; kind and good and benevolent. His performance skills have won him the admiration of all, and the remainder of his visit promises to be just as wonderful. His popularity is at its height when a messenger arrives with news that shatters the joyful mood surrounding Princess Kathryn's wedding feast. Suddenly Billy must choose between accompanying his patron and friend Lady Myrredith on her grim journey home to Cyndyn Hall or accept King William and Princess Kathryn's generous invitation to stay at Orgulous for a time. In the end, Billy follows the urging of his friends and his heart and agrees to stay on as court entertainer, unaware that the unspeakable darkness lurking within one powerful man's heart is about to be unleashed.

K. C. Herbel's The Jester picks up seamlessly in feel and tone where The Innkeeper's Son left off and continues Herbel's tradition of character-driven action fueled by a fate larger than young Billy could hope to comprehend. Returning to talented, loyal, loving Billy is a breath of fresh air. In The Innkeeper's Son, he proved himself to be more resourceful than he realized. In The Jester, this is doubly true, compounded as it is with his strikingly keen intuition. Despite these boons, Billy is very much a child. And it is his childlike haste that very nearly kills him. K. C. Herbel's second installment in The Jester King series continues the trend of light-hearted, silly moments interspersed through an ever-darkening plot. The Jester is far murkier than its predecessor, driving the pace at breakneck speed to a harrowing conclusion. From start to finish, The Jester is nothing short of an emotional roller coaster ride. Chock full of returning favorites and bitter disappointments, Herbel has once again created a 'can't-miss' novel sure to be a hit. Secrets abound in The Jester. Come discover the truth.

Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite

The King of FU, written by Benjamin Davis and wonderfully illustrated by Nikita Klimov, is a coming of age novel that belongs to a class all its own. This is a memoir written somewhat like a modern epic poem and is divided into three parts. Umbilical Cords, the first chapter, deals with the author's birth and early memories. The second chapter relates his 1990s childhood in the United States of America while the last chapter is on his adolescence when he "trains" to be an adult. This little boy is raised by a career oriented single mother and he certainly is not lacking in mischief and imagination. Enrolled in a Catholic school for middle school, he is introduced to pot, girls and more pot, as he tries to solve the mysteries of life.

Benjamin Davis' The King of FU is not your usual memoir and it unravels inside his mother's womb, literally and figuratively. It is absolutely a curious and highly interesting read, from beginning to end. Growing up on the threshold of a technological revolution, the King of FU journeys through life as a very confused adolescent boy at a time when even adults seem to be as confused. And here, in a magically realistic and poetic way, readers can join him on his journey, and it is definitely an exhilarating ride. Dark, creative, sarcastic, edgy and playful, Benjamin Davis' creative writing style is unique and Nikita Klimov's illustrations are a perfect fit to a story that reveals the answer to one of life's greatest mysteries.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Captain Fin is a work of young adult fiction penned by author Amanda M. Thrasher and adapted from a screenplay by Kevin James O’Neill. In this tale, we find our hero Hannah Gunner in a state of turmoil regarding the secrets unveiled about her life. Hannah doesn’t really know the full particulars of who she is, and so she forms a trio of inquirers with her boyfriend Cash and best friend Lindsay to discover the truth about herself. She must distinguish between memories and dreams to uncover reality, coming face to face with the ghosts of her past and the elusive Captain that haunts her still.

This is a fascinating tale that certainly has much to offer its young adult readers, with likeable lead characters, hidden treasure and secrets, as well as important social issues about growing up, learning who you really are and having that sense of self put to the test by the information and people you face in the wider world. Hannah is an endearing lead character whom author Amanda M. Thrasher makes very likable and relatable, and I enjoyed the unreliability of the memories and secrets she has to deal with. This enhances the overall plot with plenty of twists and suspense, making it all the more exciting when moments of real truth do emerge for us to put the pieces of Hannah’s life together. Overall, Captain Fin is a strong work of teen identity, adventure, mystery and plenty of hi-jinks to keep its readers entertained.

Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite

It isn’t surprising that Tears and Trombones is the winner of the Independent Publishers medal for “Best Fiction in the Western Pacific Region” because of the great storytelling craft and the exceptional prose readers will find as they begin to read the story. Nanci Lee Woody’s story will be of great delight to music fans and readers who enjoy well-developed characters, swiftly paced stories, and balanced writing.

Meet young Joey, a boy with a dream of becoming a musician, ridiculed by a heartless father and humiliated on every occasion by a father intent on distracting him from his goal to make his dream come true. But nothing would stop the young man who eventually finds the support he needs from well-meaning and generous souls, developing his career to the point where he finds himself performing with icons such as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and others. As he scores many successes in the music industry, he has to sacrifice a love ignited in his heart since his high school days. Can one man have it all?

Tears and Trombones is an exciting tale that is inspiring, an impassioned story written most wonderfully. I enjoyed the emotional depth of the story, the strong conflict explored at multiple levels, and the powerful lessons that come across to the reader. One of the lessons of this story is that our dreams have the power to transform our lives. Nanci Lee Woody’s writing had me captivated from the very first page, and I found myself turning from one exciting page to the next mesmerizing one. Here is one of those books you read and want to watch on the big screen.

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

After a traumatic car accident, a high school student suffers from amnesia that conceals more than teenage angst in the dramatic Young Adult fiction novel What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie. Molly Hanover and her mother Ann have just relocated to Millington Valley. Ann's new boss has offered one of his superior rental properties to them for half the price. Happy to move out of the small, stuffy apartment, they are excited to begin their new lives. Ann has finally got her paralegal license and has a good job, and Molly is looking forward to her senior year. However, men recently introduced into their lives begin to cause havoc. After a late night visit from one of them, Molly now has a horrible secret. If she tells someone, the consequences could be dire. What should she do? However, that problem is moot when Molly is in an accident, and the memory is erased. Will the loss of her memory leave someone else in danger?

What The Valley Knows by Heather Christie is a sensational Young Adult fiction novel that leaves the reader feeling empowered. The story takes the reader from tragedy to triumph as they observe the heartrending and traumatic circumstances that Molly and her mother encounter. It is uplifting to experience Molly's journey from emotions of grief and loss, to see how those feelings are transformed into promise and personal power. It is also very gratifying to see the villain, who is victimizing innocents, brought to justice. This sensational novel is a moving, poignant story and is ideal for readers over the age of sixteen, due to some of the adult content.

Reviewed by Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite

Billy is a spirited, good-hearted young man with dreams far bigger than the Valley of the Yew. It isn’t that he minds working alongside his father in The Valley’s Finest Inn. He could find a future happiness if he stayed. But when a noble guest invites him to go on the road with her, Billy leaps at the chance to make his dreams come true. Little does he know that the world beyond his cozy home is a more hostile place than he could ever have imagined, filled with dangers from which his father has done everything in his power to protect Billy.

Dancing back and forth between a unique idea for younger readers and one for older audiences, The Innkeeper’s Son stands strong in a place of universal appeal. There’s a delicate balance between the silly – lending itself to younger readers – and the darker, more mature themes that highlights K.C. Herbel’s skill. The effort made to make The Innkeeper’s Son such a solid work shines through every page; from the quiet strength of the common folk to the imbuing of life into the land and animals, Herbel never disappoints. There are a few rough spots scattered throughout, but none great enough to mar the first installment in a new fantasy series that should definitely be on your bookshelf.

It's a fast read, even taking into account the frequent pauses I took to admire the scenery. Herbel paints a beautiful landscape through the eyes of Billy, the young protagonist who sees the world with a child’s wonder even while confronting dark forces he’s never before known. Indeed, there is an unmistakable sense of magic to the countryside of The Innkeeper’s Son, drawing a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world into the whole work. Billy’s innate response to despair in himself and others adds much-needed lightness for those around him, earning him a cherished place in the hearts of most everyone he meets. Herbel does not shy away from allowing each character to have their own private pain, giving them a depth that cannot be overrated. A truly magical journey, and a delight to read.